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University Foundations, EIU 1111
College Stress: The Big Five
Two psychologists who frequently deal with students and
their stress problems say that five types of pressures seem to cause people
the most trouble during their college experience:
Separation from Family
"Separation is a very positive experience for most people. It’s a
chance to get it together in a relatively safe environment. At the same
time, it’s a jolt for many people." For many, college is the first
extended time away from home. No supportive family is around to share the
triumphs and miseries, and Mom and Dad aren’t there to remind you what to
do, when to do it, etc. You have to get a new set of bearings and establish
a support system to replace those left behind, and that does not happen
overnight.
Freedom
At most schools, the days of dorm rules, dress codes, and even mandatory
class attendance is long gone. But while freedom can be exciting and fun,
"it can also be stressful because no one is telling you what to
do." "You have to make a lot of decisions on your own and readjust
your own values and normal life. There are bound to be mistakes, but that is
part of the process."
Competition
The ever-increasing competition for grades, graduate slots, and jobs has a
way of affecting your life in other areas. Those who allow too much time for
studying may feel that their future is assured at the price of getting no
pleasure from their present life. Here you have a value issue: How much
stress is it worth to reach my goal? Many students feel lonely, which
increases the pressure. The competition probably adds to that because so
much time is spent working alone. Lacking a support system, other problems
are that much harder to face.
Peer Pressure
Especially in a new environment, most people eagerly seek acceptance. That
may mean conforming, whether it’s to friends’ attitudes toward alcohol,
drugs, partying, studying, or sex. It can also mean a pressure to perform.
Maybe the sexual liberation is yesterday’s news, but some of the problems
it created are still lurking.
Choosing a Career
A veritable tightrope. You’d like to find a major that interests you and
that you enjoy. But perhaps your parents have pegged you for certain other
fields of study. If they are footing that tuition bill, you may feel extra
pressure to choose a major that will pay off later. On top of all this, you
face the uncertain job market.
It is nearly impossible to make it through college without
experiencing at least one of the Big Five. These stressors can also be
strong sources of support, supplying the will to achieve, the power to take
chances, the urge to make decisions and get your life in gear. Sometimes it
is hard to know whether pressures are spurring you on or dragging you down.
Yet, making that distinction is essential to your own health and success.
SOURCE: EIU’S R.A. MANUAL 1990
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